Yokosuka City

Yokosuka City - International City of Culture by the Sea

Yokosuka City is situated in the center of Miura Peninsula with three sides facing the ocean. The city has a warm climate and rich natural environment. It has the population of approximately 400,000. There is high expectation of its further development as a core city of Miura Peninsula in the future.

Yokosuka City lost the core of its existence as a naval port city when the Second World War ended in August 1945. The city made a brave effort, however, to transform its former military assets into peace-time industries.

In June 1950, the government proclaimed and enforced a law called “Act on Reconstruction of Cities that Formerly Served as Naval Ports” and Yokosuka City started reconstruction of new Yokosuka as a peace-time industrial coast city.

Yokosuka City has been making an effort to invest in improving and expanding its social infrastructure on the basis of the above law. At the same time, the city has been pushing forward with attractive urban planning in order to bring the concept of -- "International City of Culture by the Sea" -- into fruition by 2025 as the target. The development undertaking is founded on the basic principles of "coexistence," "cultural and technological interaction," and "creativity" that will fully utilize local resources such as the natural environment, history, culture, warm-heartedness of residents, and international characteristics that are unique to Yokosuka.

In April 2001, Yokosuka City officially became the first core city in Kanagawa Prefecture. In February 2007, the city commemorated the 100th anniversary of its municipality. This year (2015), the city is holding various anniversary events to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, which served as a foundation of the modernization of Japan and development of this city, and take advantage of these events as opportunities that would lead to further progress of the city.

Yokosuka City is specially aiming to create a city where "children have a leading role" so that married couples and child-rearing generation feel good about living in this city.

Official tree of Yokosuka City
Prunus speciosa

Official flower of Yokosuka City
Crinum asiaticum

Municipality enforcement	February 15, 1907
Area	100.82 km²
Population	373,797

Photo gallery

Click a photo to enlarge it for display.

Details of Photos

Display details of each photo

Hide details of each photo

Verny Park
The park is named after Francois Leonce Verny, a French engineer who directed the construction of modern facilities in Japan such as Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. About 2,000 roses adorn the rose garden in spring and autumn.
Hemi-eimon and the submarine
The guard post of the former Yokosuka military port Hemi-mon Gate is estimated to have been built between the end of the Meiji period and the beginning of the Taisho period. There are two buildings on the left and right, each labeled "Hemi Landing Field" and "Military Port Hemi Gate." The building is approximately 4 meters high, has a copper-plated dome-shaped roof, an octagonal reinforced concrete structure, and has tiled exterior walls, giving it the appearance of an unusual building at the time, and has been preserved as it was when it was first built.
United States Fleet Activities Yokosuka Christmas illuminations
The US Navy Base is lit up with Christmas illumination every year in December.
Kurihama Flower World
This is a large park situated in a rich natural environment with an area measuring 58.3 hectares and a design that takes advantage of the terrain. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, this park is well known for its myriad of flowers. Poppies flower in spring and cosmos' bloom in autumn everywhere in the large spaces throughout the park. The park also contains many facilities such as herb garden, "park golf," and archery hall.
Nagai Seaside Park, Soleil-no-Oka
This park is spread over an area measuring 21.3 hectares and extends to the headlands that command a panoramic view of Sagami Bay, Mt. Fuji, and the Shonan area. This park cultivates vegetables/fruits and paddy fields, and has greenhouses. Visitors to the park can experience harvesting of vegetables and fruits through the four seasons. This park also has a ranch area and town street with buildings resembling the Provence region of South France. Visitors can enjoy the park amenities all day long, like the hot spa facility called "Sea and Sunset Spa," the dining experience, and the hands-on craft workshop.
Dobuita Dori
After the Second World War, this street flourished as a nightlife district for the stationed troops of the U.S. Navy. A well-preserved stretch of the street displays the legacy of those times, such as souvenir shops and bars for the stationed troops. Visitors can enjoy the America-like ambiance of the place through reusable US military surplus clothes, "Suka-jan (embroidered satin baseball jacket)," Yokosuka Navy Burger (American-style hamburgers)," American cuisine, and other items.
Sarushima Island
This island is the only natural island in Tokyo Bay. Visitors to this island can enjoy activities such as fishing, sea-bathing, and barbecuing. Historical monuments of the former Imperial military and navy are still preserved on this uninhabited island and the unique characteristics of this island provide visitors with an experience that can never be found in the cities.
Inside the Sarushima Island
On this island, there are still remains of a gun battery such as red brick tunnels and an ammunition depot built in the Meiji era. The Tokyo Bay Fortress that includes the Chiyogasaki Battery and Sarushima Battery sites is designated as a National Historic Site.
Yokosuka Museum of Art
The Yokosuka Museum of Art was designed based on the concept where its entire surroundings form a part of the museum. Visitors can relax and enjoy art and nature in a pleasing environment with Tokyo Bay in front and the natural forest of Kannonzaki Park at the back.
Yokosukahonko
Yokosuka Iron Works, was built in 1865, heralding in the history of Yokosuka Port that started in the Yokosukahonko district. Later, Yokosuka Iron Works was renamed Yokosuka Shipyards. In1884, a 'Chinju-fu (naval base)' was set up in this port and the shipyard was developed as a naval port. After the Second World War, the port was expected to serve as the heart of Yokosuka City because it contained Japan's leading shipbuilding and port facilities. Today, however, it is used by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and US Navy.
Yokosuka is famous for its curry and rice
"Sucurry" is a seagull that serves as the official mascot of Yokosuka for promoting Yokosuka City. You can taste the famous "Yokosuka Naval Curry and Rice," which is the No. 1 local specialty, only in Yokosuka. There are about 40 certified Yokosuka Naval Curry and Rice restaurants. The mascot Sucurry was created on May 20, 2003. They say that this mascot loves to taste the local cuisine, collect spoons, and go for flight training.
Kannonzaki Lighthouse
This lighthouse was built in January 1, 1869 as Japan's first western-style lighthouse. It was originally constructed with bricks baked at Yokosuka Iron Works. It collapsed during the earthquake of 1922, however, and the present lighthouse is the third to be built.
Memorial Ship "Mikasa"
"Mikasa" was in commission as the flagship of the Japanese Navy in the Battle of Tsushima (Sea of Japan) during Russo-Japanese War (1905). In 1926, it became a memorial ship and was preserved in Yokosuka. In desolate days after the war, the ship was given a fixed berth at the present location on May 27, 1961 and restored using funds donated by all ranks of civil society and aid from the US Navy.
Yokosuka Military Port Tour
This cruise takes visitors to Yokosukahonko, which accommodates the headquarters of the US Navy Seventh Fleet, and Nagaura port, where the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) command headquarters is located. Visitors can get a close look at the US Navy and JMSDF ships along with an easy-to-understand real-time commentary on types and names and roles of these usually not viewable ships.
Mt. Fuji viewed from Shonan Village
Shonan Village was opened in 1994 as a "21st century meeting place for international exchange with accommodations in rich historical cultural setting." At present, there are two research institutes and 11 training facilities at this village. Academic researches, human resource development, technology exchange, and cultural exchange related projects with international perspectives take place in these facilities. Visitors can also enjoy a great view of Mt. Fuji past Sagami Bay.
Japan-US Spring Festival
This festival is held at the Yokosuka US Naval Base and it allows visitors to get an extraordinary experience of American culture in Japan. You can taste the atmosphere of America through American food stands and staged events on the day of this festival.
Hashirimizu coast and Mt. Fuji viewed from Hazaki
Hashirimizu no umi (present day Uraga Channel) was a strategic point in the Old Tokaido road (Eastern Ocean Road). In relation to Hashirimizu no umi, the legend of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto and Oto Tachibana Hime, can be found in the "Kojiki Records of Ancient Matters (Japan's oldest historical record)" and "Nihonshoki (Chronicles of Japan)." From near Hazaki, visitors can look all over the east coast of Yokosuka from Hashirimizu coast to the coast of Mabori-kaigan. This spot is also very popular for photographing Mt. Fuji from the Tokyo Bay side.
Mabori-kaigan promenade
You can feel sea breeze and have a close view of ships that come and go in Tokyo Bay and Sarushima Island from this approximately 1.8-kilometer promenade with Canary Island data palm trees along coast of Mabori-kaigan from Otsu to Hashirimizu coast. If weather allows, you can get a splendid view Mt. Fuji.
Tateishi
Unlike the coastline of the Tokyo Bay side, there are a lot of natural shorelines along Akiya-kaigan and Tateishi-kaigan located on the Sagami Bay side. The famous Edo period ukiyo-e artist Ando Hiroshige drew this uniquely shaped rock "Tateishi (standing stone)" protruding from the beach in his ukiyo-e landscape of this area entitled "Sohshu Miura Akiya no sato" in which Mt. Fuji is viewed past the sea.
Sunset in Tateishi
Visitors can enjoy a great sunset view of Mt. Fuji from Tateishi Park, which has a commanding view over Tateishi (standing stone). The "Diamond Fuji" is seen in April and August.

Annual event schedule

Time	Event	Description
April 8	William Adams Cherry Blossom Party	This ceremony commemorates the achievements of Anjin Miura (Japanese name of William Adams), who was a diplomatic advisor to Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Late April	Kanrin-maru Memorial Ceremony	This ceremony is held for honoring the achievements of Kanrin-maru (the first Japanese ship ever to cross the Pacific) and its crew.
Mid-May	Yokosuka curry festival	Japan's largest local curry event
Beginning of June	Yokosuka YY Transport Festa	Various vehicles including trains, automobiles, and ships of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) are assembled at this festival.
Mid-July	Ceremony of the Landing of Commodore Perry	This ceremony commemorates the historical facts that brought about the end of Japan's policy of isolation.
Mid-October	Yokosuka Friendship Day	Timed with the Kaikoku-sai festival, this event is hosted by the Yokosuka US Naval Base and the base is opened to the public.
Mid-October	Yokosuka District Autumn Festa	This event is hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Headquarters Yokosuka District are opened to the public.
Late October	Yokosuka Mikoshi Parade	During the parade, many 'mikoshi' (portable shrines) and floats (festival cars) make their way down the streets of Yokosuka, including the Yokosuka US Naval Base.
Mid-November	Verny-Oguri Memorial Ceremony	This ceremony commemorates two people who made a great contribution to the opening of the Yokosuka Iron Works.
December 31	Yokosuka New Year Count-down	Display of illuminated Japanese and US ships and fireworks to mark the year-end celebrations.
Late March	Japan-US Spring Festival	Visitors can experience the atmosphere of being in America at the Yokosuka Navy Base.

*The schedule is a guideline. Please check each event website for details.

Access

Access to Yokosuka City

Yokosuka City - International City of Culture by the Sea

Photo gallery

Details of Photos

Annual event schedule

Access

Links